Distinguished - The practice essay meets and exceeds the minimum word count requirements and addresses the required subject matter.

Proficient - The practice essay meets the minimum word count requirement and addresses the required subject matter.

Basic - The practice essay does not meet the minimum word count requirement, but it does address the required subject matter.

Below Expectations - The practice essay does not address the required subject matter and/or it does not meet the minimum word count requirement.

Non-Performance - The practice essay is one or two brief paragraphs long.

Distinguished - Essay contains a thesis or controlling idea, which appears in the introduction. The thesis is developed through a well-conceived paragraph structure; each paragraph contains a topic sentence that introduces the issue or event being explored and advances the thesis. A concluding paragraph refers back to the essay’s thesis and summarizes the main points.

Proficient - Essay contains a thesis or controlling idea, which appears in the introduction. The thesis is developed through a paragraph structure, although the overall structure needs focus or clarity. Each paragraph contains a topic sentence that introduces the issue or event being explored and advances the main idea; some detail is lacking. A concluding paragraph refers back to the essay’s thesis and summarizes the main points.

Basic - Essay contains a thesis or controlling idea; however, it either does not appear in the introduction or it lacks sufficient focus. The thesis is developed through a basic paragraph structure, although not all paragraphs contain a topic sentence that introduces the issue or event being explored and advances the main idea. The conclusion either does not refer back to the essay’s thesis or does not adequately summarize the main points.

Below Expectations - Essay is centered on a topic or theme, but it lacks a thesis or controlling idea that focuses the paper. The topic or theme is minimally developed through a paragraph structure; topic sentences are absent and some paragraphs do not advance the topic. The concluding paragraph is absent, or it does not refer back to the essay’s thesis or summarize the main points.

Non-Performance - An appropriate essay structure is either nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Essay’s thesis or controlling idea develops in the body of the paper through an appropriate sequence of ideas, and through interesting examples and evidence that clearly relate to the main idea. Essay is 550 to 800 words in length.

Proficient - Essay’s thesis or controlling idea is developed in the body of the paper through an appropriate sequence of ideas, and through examples and evidence that relate to the main idea. Some paragraphs lack sufficient examples or detail. Essay is 550 to 800 words in length.

Basic - Essay’s thesis or controlling idea is developed in the body of the paper, although the sequence of ideas lacks logic or focus. Some paragraphs lack examples, detail, and/or relevance to the main idea. Essay is 550 to 800 words in length.

Below Expectations - Essay’s thesis or controlling idea is minimally developed in the body of the paper; the sequence of ideas lacks logic and focus, examples and evidence are missing or do not relate to the main idea, and/or essay does not meet the required length of 550 to 800 words.

Non-Performance - An appropriate narrative development is either nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Essay utilizes all of the elements that define narrative, including character, plot, purpose, action, and point-of-view. Essay uses language appropriate to audience and purpose, illustrating careful attention to word choice, sentence construction, and clarity.

Proficient - Essay utilizes at least four of the five elements that define narrative, such as character, plot, purpose, action, and point-of-view. Essay uses language appropriate to audience and purpose, although one or two errors exist in word choice, sentence construction, and clarity.

Basic - Essay utilizes at least two of the elements that define narrative, such as character, plot, purpose, action, and point-of-view. Essay uses language that is mostly appropriate to audience and purpose, although three to five errors exist in word choice, sentence construction, and clarity.

Below Expectations - Essay utilizes at least one of the elements that define narrative, such as character, plot, purpose, action, or point-of-view. Essay contains language inappropriate to audience and/or purpose, and more than five errors exist in word choice, sentence construction, and clarity.

Non-Performance - An appropriate narrative style is either nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Essay uses the proper conventions of the English language, including correct grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Fewer than three errors in grammar or syntax are present in the essay, and they do not detract from the development of ideas.

Proficient - Essay uses the proper conventions of the English language. Three to five errors are present in grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure, but they do not detract from the development of ideas.

Basic - Essay uses the proper conventions of the English language most of the time. Between five and ten errors are present in grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Some errors detract from the development of ideas.

Below Expectations - Essay does not use many of the proper conventions of the English language. Over ten errors are present in grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure, and they detract from the development of ideas.

Non-Performance - An appropriate use of grammar is either nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Essay uses accurate APA formatting consistently throughout the paper.

Proficient - Essay uses APA formatting throughout the paper, but contains one or two minor errors.

Basic - Essay uses some APA formatting, but does not meet all APA requirements.

Below Expectations - Essay minimally uses APA formatting and contains numerous errors that may detract from the essay’s content.

Non-Performance - Use of APA formatting is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.